About NJROTC

The NJROTC program was established by Public Law in 1964 which may be found in Title 10, U.S. Code, Chapter 102. The program is conducted at accredited secondary schools throughout the nation, and taught by instructors who are retired Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard officers and enlisted personnel. (“Gray” area reservists and medically retired personnel may also be eligible to instruct in the program; see Instructor Application Process) The NJROTC accredited curriculum emphasizes citizenship and leadership development, as well as our maritime heritage, the significance of sea power, and naval topics such as the fundamentals of naval operations, seamanship, navigation and meteorology. Classroom instruction is augmented throughout the year by extra-curricular activities of community service, academic, athletic, drill and orienteering competitions, field meets, flights, visits to naval or other activities, marksmanship sports training, and physical fitness training. Electronic classroom equipment, textbooks, uniforms, educational training aids, travel allowance, and a cost-share of instructors' salaries are provided by the Navy.

What does the NJROTC program do?

• Promotes Patriotism

• Develops informed and responsible citizens

• Develops respect for constructed authority

• Develops leadership potential

• Promotes high school completion

• Promotes higher education

• Promotes community service

• Develops a high degree of personal honor, self-reliance, individual discipline and leadership

• Promotes an understanding of the basic elements and need for national security

• Provides information on the military services as a possible career

• Provides an alternative to gangs

• Provides incentive to live healthy and drug free

What are the student enrollment eligibility requirements?

• Be enrolled in and attending a regular course of instruction in a grade 9 through 12 at the school hosting the unit.

• Be physically qualified to participate fully in the physical education program of the host school.

• Be selected by the NJROTC instructor with the approval of the school principal or his/her representative.

• Maintain acceptable standards of academic achievement and an academic standing that warrants at least normal progression leading to graduation.

• Maintain acceptable standards of conduct.

• Comply with specified personal grooming standards. Common sense and good judgment apply to the attainment of these standards. Standards will not be relaxed so as to reflect discredit upon the naval service.

• Under the secondary school open enrollment policy and when desired by the principal of the host school, students in grades 9-12 who are otherwise ineligible for regular NJROTC enrollment may enroll as special NJROTC cadets. Special NJROTC cadets may participate in school approved NJROTC activities, be called naval cadets, wear the uniform, participate as cadet officers, and go on field trips and orientation visits to military installations. Special NJROTC students may not, however, be counted with that number required to maintain an NJROTC unit. Any special equipment or additional staff that may be needed to instruct special NJROTC students is provided by the school.